Samsung Galaxy Note 4: What We Know So Far

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 launch date is likely months away but that doesn’t mean that we haven’t already heard about the device that will be coming to replace the Galaxy Note 3 at some point down the road.

Last August, Samsung sent out invites for an Unpacked event on September 4th, just ahead of the IFA trade show in Berlin, Germany, the same trade show that typically serves as the launch pad for the company’s Samsung Galaxy Note.

In September, the company debuted the Galaxy Note 3, its latest Galaxy Note, and a device that currently serves as Samsung’s flagship alongside the Galaxy S4. The Samsung Galaxy S4 will be replaced sometime soon by a Samsung Galaxy S5. All signs point to Samsung’s next Unpacked event, Unpacked 5 Episode 1, as the Galaxy S5 launch pad. Nothing is confirmed, but it looks like the Galaxy Note 3 will soon be joined by a new in-house competitor.

The same thing will happen to the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 later on this year and that’s something that has Galaxy Note 2 users coming off-contract and those looking for a brand new smartphone experience extremely excited.

Fortunately, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, as its currently called, hasn’t stuck to the shadows. In fact, we’ve seen a good amount of information leak out over the past two months that hint at everything from possible features to possible launch windows and events. Of course, nothing is set in stone until Samsung sets it in stone but that doesn’t mean that these rumors aren’t credible.

Here we take a look at what we know so far about the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and offer up our own analysis of the device and its launch date and release date ahead of its eventual arrival later on this year.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Launch Date

So what do we know about the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 launch date? A lot, actually. While Samsung hasn’t announced anything quite yet, we have see one Samsung executive point to an arrival later on this year. We also have a lot of history to draw from, history that points to some likely Galaxy Note 4 launch details.

At CES 2014, Dennis Miloseski, head of studio for Samsung Design America, told Ina Fried of that the next Galaxy Note would arrive in the fall, just like the three previous versions of the Galaxy Note. A report fromBloomberg that emerged around the same time suggests that the Galaxy Note 4 will land in the second half of the year.

What this means is that those who are hoping for an early Samsung Galaxy Note 4 launch date or something out of the ordinary, probably aren’t going to get it.

Samsung historically has used the IFA trade show in Berlin to show off its brand new Galaxy Note model. This year’s IFA 2014 will kick off on September 5th and go through September 10th. Samsung likes to launch its devices right around the start of the show which means that the Galaxy Note 4 is likely to arrive anywhere between September 1st and September 5th.

We also now know that there will probably be an Unpacked event for the Galaxy Note 4. Samsung recently sent out invites for the presumed Galaxy S5 launch and it’s dubbed Unpacked 5 Episode 1. Last year’s Galaxy S4 event was called Episode 1 while the Galaxy Note 3 event was called Episode 2. This isn’t confirmation but it does make a second Unpacked event likely.

Galaxy Note 4 Release Date

How about the release? Well, Bloomberg specifically states that the Galaxy Note 4 release will come in the second half and that makes sense if the device is indeed announced in the second half of the year. Usually, Samsung takes about a month from announcement date to release date which means that the Galaxy Note 4 release could come in late September and early October once again.

This wouldn’t be too shocking given that Samsung appears to be launching and releasing the Galaxy S5 around the same time that it launched and released last year’s Galaxy S4. The Galaxy S5 release date is currently rumored for April and Gotta Be Mobile has learned that it could land in the United States in late April.

So again, from the looks of things, Samsung will be concentrating on the Galaxy S5 and its brand in the first half of the year and it will turn its attention to the Galaxy Note 4 in the second half ahead of the holidays per usual.

Display

At the moment, Samsung Galaxy Note 4 rumors have focused on one big feature that could arrive with the company’s Galaxy Note 3 successor.

Last year, at CES 2013 in Las Vegas, the company showed off Samsung Youm, its flexible display technology that arrived on the Galaxy Round late last year but has yet to make it onto a widespread, flagship product. The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 could change that.

Galaxy Note 4 concept with three-sided display.

A handful of Galaxy Note 4 rumors have pointed to a three-sided display possibly appearing on the Galaxy Note 4 later on this year. Reports center on a “bent” display that would offer better viewing angles for Galaxy Note 4 users. While this isn’t set in stone, it certainly remains a possibility as Samsung looks to compete with growing competition in the “phablet” space.

Apple’s iPhone 6 is also rumored to be coming in two sizes, 4.7-inches and 5.5-inches, something that would put added pressure on Samsung and its Galaxy Note series. An attractive feature like this could help to keep the Galaxy Note 4 relevant.

Another report from Korean daily Daumhints at a possible display for the Galaxy Note 4. Samsung is rumored to be shifting to QHD (560ppi) and UHD (860ppi) quality displays for its smartphones. The Galaxy S5 is heavily rumored to have a QHD display on board. With the company looking to put QHD technology on smartphones this year, it’s very likely that the Galaxy Note 4 will have a higher-resolution display than the Galaxy Note 3’s full HD display.

Design

We haven’t heard much about the overall design of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 though that’s to be expected. Samsung always keeps its flagship designs under the curtain until just before a launch. In fact, we didn’t know what the Galaxy Note 3 would look like until Samsung showed it off on stage. The Samsung Galaxy S5 design remains a mystery, even now, a week ahead of launch.

These details will likely start to emerge once we get much closer to the event though the Galaxy S5 design will be a good gauge in terms of what to expect.

If Samsung does shift to a metal design, possibly in combination with a plastic design, it could be that we see Samsung shift to a premium design for its Galaxy Note. Bloomberg’s report suggested that Samsung would be targeting its high-end audience with next Galaxy Note.

Samsung could be planning a waterproof Galaxy Note 4 as this feature may not make the cut for the Galaxy S5.

Etnews says that Samsung is looking to bring water and dust resistant capabilities to its main stream devices. The Galaxy S4 did not come with a dust or water resistant design, rather, it was the Galaxy S4 Active that offered those qualities. The company is once again rumored to be coming out with a Galaxy S5 Active to support the regular Galaxy S5.

The publication claims that Samsung will make waterproof and dustproof essential functions on all flagship models and that it is allegedly working with suppliers that are developing better antenna technology to enable a thinner waterproof smartphone.This doesn’t confirm a water and dust resistant Galaxy Note 4 design but it does leave the door open for the feature.

The Galaxy Note 3 design, which is comprised of faux leather plastic, is arguably one of the worst things about the current Galaxy Note model so consumers should expect something new from this year’s Galaxy Note. Samsung is known for changing its designs year after year, unlike Apple who changes once every two years.

Specs

We’ve heard only a little bit about the other specifications that could emerge on board the Galaxy Note 4. A report from etnews suggests Samsung has locked in Synaptics as the supplier of the touch portion of the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4 screen, something that will bring improved Air View, Air Gesture and S Pen support to the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4.

We should hear a lot more about possible Galaxy Note 4 specifications throughout the year but it’s important to note that Samsung will likely be testing several prototypes before it picks one for production. What this means is that rumors will likely suggest a great number of things in the build up to its launch.

Typically, we see rumors start to firm up about a month or two before a device arrives though again, Samsung’s Galaxy S5 announcement on February 24th could shed light on what we can expect from the Galaxy Note 4.

Wearables

It appears that the focus of the Galaxy Gear 2 will be on the design though it appears that the device may still need to communicate with a smartphone in order to function properly. Miloseski told Recode that the company plans on releasing wearable products that don’t need to communicate with a smartphone and can operate independently.

What this means is that we could see a brand new wearable debut alongside the Galaxy Note 4 later this year. And it could be this wearable that aims to be the device that takes on any iWatch product that Apple releases in the future.

15 Comments

Stik

02/18/2014 at 5:50 pm

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JohnnieDyer

02/25/2014 at 6:55 am

I ave the note 3 and however sceptical i was at first about the faux leather since i actually got the device ive loved it.in my opinion as well theres no need for a bent display.the one they showed where you can see the screen in the side just seems like it would be a waste of space making the device either bigger or the flat side of the screen smaller

Christine Biel

02/25/2014 at 5:51 pm

I agree that the curved screen really wouldn’t be a plus. Would also make it difficult to put a case on it. Water and dust repellent would be amazing! I actually like the larger size..I barely use my desk top computer anymore! How about a built in FM transmitter for use in the car? I am totally sold on the Samsung Note phones and converted many of my friends…Thanx, Samsung!!

A proper xenon flash and dedicated shutter button with optical stabilization would be good in the next note. It’s takes good pictures now, but the things above would give it a good edge above any camera phone.

Miguel

03/13/2014 at 10:10 am

An improvement in S Voice would really be a great thing. Something on par with Siri with a more natural voice, or choice of voices. Or combine S Voice with Google now to make the best assistant ever. Optical image stabilization would be great also.